Prem Tinsulanonda International School

"Nestled in the foothills north of Chiang Mai, Prem Tinsulanonda International School offers families an educational experience that is as distinctive in its setting as it is in its academic ambition."

A co-educational day and boarding school serving students from Kindergarten through Grade 12, Prem — as it is affectionately known — opened its doors in August 2001 and has since grown into one of northern Thailand's most respected international institutions. The school is a fully authorized member of the International Baccalaureate Organization, offering all three IB programmes across the full age range. Younger students in Grades 1 through 5 follow the Primary Years Programme, which nurtures curiosity and a love of learning through an inquiry-based approach. In the middle school years, Grades 6 through 10 transition into the Middle Years Programme, building critical thinking and intercultural understanding. Students in Grades 11 and 12 pursue the IB Diploma Programme, one of the world's most rigorous and globally recognized pre-university qualifications. Together, these three programmes create a coherent, values-driven academic journey from early childhood through to university preparation. What sets Prem apart in a very tangible way is its extraordinary campus and the philosophy that underpins it. The school sits on a 100-acre site and forms a central part of the Traidhos Three-Generation Community for Learning, a broader educational and cultural community designed and created by Thai architect and artist ML Tridhosyuth Devakul. The campus itself feels more like a living, breathing community than a conventional school, with thoughtfully designed spaces that reflect a deep respect for the natural environment and Thai artistic heritage. For families seeking an education that goes beyond the classroom, this environment is genuinely rare. Prem currently enrolls approximately 500 students representing 29 countries, making for a richly diverse and genuinely international community. This cultural mix is one of the school's greatest assets, giving students daily exposure to different perspectives and ways of understanding the world — an experience that shapes not just academic growth but personal character. The school's boarding programme extends this sense of community further, offering students from across Thailand and around the world a residential experience that fosters independence, resilience, and lasting friendships. English is the primary language of instruction throughout the school, making Prem accessible to expat and internationally mobile families arriving from virtually any corner of the globe. The school's location near Chiang Mai — Thailand's vibrant cultural capital in the north — adds another layer of richness, giving students access to a city renowned for its temples, festivals, cuisine, and warm, welcoming communities. For relocating professionals and expat families weighing their options in Southeast Asia, Prem Tinsulanonda International School presents a compelling combination: rigorous IB academics, a diverse and globally minded student body, a boarding option for greater flexibility, and a campus setting that is unlike almost anywhere else in the region. It is a school with genuine heart, grounded in a belief that education at its finest shapes the whole person.